What is the Difference Between Octet and Duplet?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an octet and a duplet lies in the number of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom or ion:
- Octet: An octet refers to an atom or ion with eight electrons in its outermost shell. The octet configuration is a stable electronic configuration that all noble gases except helium have, making them inert in nature. In the context of chemical bonding, octet refers to the minimum and maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in the outermost shell of an atom.
- Duplet: A duplet refers to an atom or ion with two electrons in its outermost shell. The duplet configuration is less common and less stable than the octet configuration.
Other differences between octet and duplet include:
- Number of shells: An atom with a duplet configuration has only one shell (K-shell), while an atom with an octet configuration has more than one shell (K, L, M, N, etc.).
- Type of orbitals: An octet can have various types of orbitals (s, p, d, f, etc.), while a duplet has only s orbital.
Some elements that obey the octet rule are the noble gases, such as neon, which has an electron configuration of 1s²2s²2p⁶. Helium, on the other hand, has a duplet configuration with two electrons in its outermost shell.
Comparative Table: Octet vs Duplet
The main difference between an octet and a duplet is the number of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom or ion. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between octet and duplet:
| Feature | Octet | Duplet |
|---|---|---|
| Number of electrons in the outermost shell | 8 | 2 |
| Stability | More stable, as it follows the octet rule, which is the tendency of an atom to acquire 8 electrons in its outermost shell to attain a stable electronic configuration | Less stable, as it follows the duplet rule, which is the tendency of an atom to acquire 2 electrons in the outermost shell |
| Elements that follow the rule | All noble gases except helium, and other elements in the same period (row) of the periodic table | Helium and some middle-range elements on the periodic table |
| Electron configuration | ns^2 np^6 (e.g., Neon: 1s^2 2s^2 2p^6) | ns^2 (e.g., Helium: 1s^2) |
In summary, an octet is an atom or ion with eight electrons in its outermost shell, while a duplet is an atom or ion with two electrons in its outermost shell. The octet rule is generally more stable than the duplet rule, as it leads to a more stable electronic configuration for the atom.
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